Q. I am going to Nashville for a wedding in mid-May. Can I wear a white skirt to the rehearsal dinner even though it is before Memorial Day?
-White Wonder
A. It will all depend on the temperature in Nashville at that time and the material of the skirt. No linen, and no too-thin cotton. If it’s warm and the rest of your outfit isn’t too “light” then you can probably pull it off.
Q. I am getting married in June of this year and I have no idea what color dress to wear to the rehearsal dinner. Should I wear white since I'm the bride or should I match my dress to the colors of the wedding and bridesmaid dresses? Is there any color you are not supposed to wear??
-Bride to be Best Dressed
A. Don’t fret over matching your dress colors to the colors chosen for the tablecloths and flowers. And skip the idea that you need to wear white two days in a row, unless you find a darling white eyelet dress that you will adore wearing throughout the summer, since I would expect you to wear the rehearsal dress many times in the future. Shop for a spring dress that you adore, fits your body well and don’t worry if it’s a bit dressy, since you are the bride. Here are a few suggestions, that I would wear myself:
left to right: Catherine Malandrino Square Neck Dress with Tulip Skirt, $425 at shopbop.com ; Beth Bowley Eyelet Dress, $220 at nordstrom.com ; Dallin Chase Silk Lurex Joe Dress, $320 at shopbop.com ; Coral Eyelet Strapless Dresses from Tibi, $378 at edressme.com ; Donna Morgan Empire Waist Sundress, $98 at nordstrom.com ; Eliza J Dot Jersey Dress, $98 at nordstrom.com ; Solid Felice garden dress, $125 at jcrew.com ; Calvin Klein Cowl Neck Knit Dress, $138 at nordstrom.com
Q. I love going to clubs and parties because I enjoy dancing. I carry the bare minimum (leave the cell phone in the car) because I like to club uncluttered so that I can dance up a storm. However, I do want to take my car keys, cash and credit card and not all my outfits have pockets. Strap purses often slide off my shoulder when the dancing gets fun and up tempo. Are there any small purses that can be attached to a belt or dangle safely from my wrist? Please suggest some hands free purse styles.
-Dancing Queen
A. It’s definitely a girl dilemma and annoyance to want to dance freely, but have to handle a small bag. It’s bad enough we have to deal with crowds and sweaty guys sidling up to us, and have to worry about losing our bags if left in a pile. You need a tiny bag that you can hang on your wrist or attach elsewhere, but still look stylish. I’ve found a few items that will help you hit the dance floor without a worry.
left to right: Julie K Lula Bag, $165 at couturecandy.com ; Moe Bags Tiffany in Pale Gold Rouged Silk, $187 at couturecandy.com ; Marc Jacobs Quilted Wristlet, $350 at bloomingdales.com; Madie Deluxe Ring Wristlet, $28 at madiedeluxe.com ; Coach Hamptons Pebbled Swingpack, $138 at macys.com ; Avery Griffin Croc Belt Bag, $187 at ravinstyle.com ; Michael Kors Pouch Belt, $85 at nordstrom.com ; Cloe's Clutch in Black, $23 at frostedbrownie.com
Q. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a birthday gift for my boyfriend of a month. He is eighteen and I want to get him something that he'll really appreciate but nothing too over the top.
A. A month is such a short time to consider anything over the top and you are still a teenager, so money is probably tight. How about dinner at a place that he'll enjoy and an activity like bowling or billiards and darts? Remember, most guys don’t want to feel stiff in a fancy restaurant when they’d rather wear their jeans. Or, if you have a little extra cash, then get him the Ipod shuffle for $79 and skip the activity and order in pizza, his favorite DVDs (those action flicks) and bake him a cake.
Q. I am trying to get lots of use out of a great little black dress I recently purchased. My first question is about the material - it is a "blister wool" dress. Can I wear this is in spring and summer or only winter? Second, I did not buy the jacket/blazer that goes with the dress but I do need something to cover up with. Would a simple white cashmere cardigan work or do you have any other suggestions? Finally, one of the ways I would like to wear this dress is with fantastic red shoes. I just purchased a pair of the new Stuart Weitzman "Linda" red shoes. I'm trying to decide whether to keep the shoes or not. Would these red patent leather shoes overpower the dress? Most importantly, if I did wear these red shoes, do I have to also wear red accessories (necklace, earrings) or could I wear pearls or a sparkly clear necklace? Do accessories usually need to match the shoes or relate to the shoes in some way if the shoes are a standout color like red? And could I wear the white cardigan or should I go for a nice black cashmere cardigan or something else to keep warm? Thanks for any advice!!
-Little Black Dress Lover
A. You’ve got several more months' wear with this dress, particularly since it’s a shift tank style. You’re thinking like a true style gal by adding spunky red patent peep toes (keep the shoes) and with your willingness to pair a variety of separates with the dress to stretch your options. Think sophisticated one day and workwear the next. I’ve picked out several options that will go from work to parties to nights out with girlfriends or guys. As for jewelry, don’t be stuck wearing matching red accessories. Wear gold for simplicity or bigger gold (as in a chunky chain or cuff) for evenings out, pearls for your inner Audrey Hepburn or a patterned silk scarf for Parisian flair.
left to right: Frenchi Cap Sleeve Crop Bolero, $28 at nordstrom.com ; Cynthia Rowley Leather Obi Belt, $78 at nordstrom.com ; Another Line Animal Print Stretch Belt, $48 at nordstrom.com ; Polka-dot merino cardigan, $95 at jcrew.com ; Stuart Weitzman Linda, $245 at zappos.com ; Charles Gray Mini Portrait Jacket, $258 at nordstrom.com
Q. I'm going on a camping trip this summer for 5 days. It won't be too intense- just some light hiking that could be done in tennis shoes. How I can I look cute and chic, but manage to stay cool in the heat?
-Hot & Sticky
A. When it comes to camping you want to be cool and comfortable. Dresses and skirts won’t do, you’ll worry about getting them dirty, especially when you’re active. You need cute shorts and tops, 1-2 pairs of cotton pants to cover your legs at night when the bugs come out and a hoodie for the same reason, socks that cover your ankles when hiking, tees and tanks you can change quickly if you get sweaty and a swimsuit if you’ll be near a body of water.
left to right: Belted Sateen Shorts , $26.50 at oldnavy.com ; Ben Sherman 'Mimi' Polo Shirt, $54 at nordstrom.com ; Waffle-Knit Hoodies, oldnavy.com ; French Connection 'Madame Butterfly' Sleeveless Top, $88 at nordstrom.com ; Free People 'Benjis' Big Pocket Shorts, $68 at nordstrom.com ; Roll-Up Cargo Capri oldnavy.com
Q. I will be traveling in Paris the month of April. Is it appropriate to wear a black velvet jacket dressed down with jeans in April? Also, is it too early to wear linen or white jeans?
-Packing Panic
A. Skip the black velvet in April, it’s past the cold weather time frame for for this plush fabric. White jeans work all year long, pair them with a black sweater for a crisp look or a bright colored lightweight cashmere sweater or even a striped long sleeve top. And it’s too early for linen, wait for 80 degree days instead.
Q. As I love fashion magazines, I have a huge stack of magazine clippings from over the years. All my attempts to organize all this have been unsuccessful. Of course I have categories: want to buy, inspirations, information in fashion, entertaining, travel and home decor; however, I just don't know the best way to catalog it and what I should save or trash in order to keep the stack under control.
-Stashing It
A. Just like your wardrobe, you have to learn to consistently weed through and clean out seasonally. We girls at StyleBakery.com are constantly reorganizing our files, tear sheets and favorite pics. I live in a New York City apartment where space is tight, so I’ve got to be organized just to fit all my dresses in my closets and keep paperwork accessible. I loathe clutter so I built a nine drawer wooden filing cabinet just to help keep items in order. Another girlfriend who works in fashion has a tall white bookcase with magazine boxes organized by titles and months. Every two years she starts fresh.
For inspirations and your buying cravings, you should put up a vision board so those items will always be fresh and in view. It’s also a great place to put up tear sheets from magazines and newspapers about restaurants you want to try or fun activities. You’ll likely change those items every month. You can have a share board custom made at shareboards.com . I have a simple one with a white wooden frame and white fabric that fits perfectly on a wall in my foyer. I tack up photos of dresses I adore, travel info, restaurants I’m planning to visit - and it’s a great place to also pin up airline e-tickets, small items like a local handyman’s number or the phone number of the deli that delivers.
Once you’ve figured out the most time sensitive items, then move onto organizing the rest, whether it be in a filing cabinet with hanging folders, a desktop file box or a magazine box filled with attractive folders. Remember to label your folders so you can find items quickly. For example, I organize my favorite home design tear sheets by wall colors I love, decorating ideas, artwork, and even by room (bedrooms, living rooms). As for travel, I’ve organized two ways and they both seem to work: I have simple folders from A-Z and on the front of each lettered folder I list the cities, countries, etc. that fit into the letter, or I simply organize by US, Europe, Caribbean and other locations.
One of my favorite sites for office gear is seejanework.com , it’s filled with items that are colorful and give work a look of whimsy.
left to right: Cargo Office Box Set Spice Red, $58.96 at organizeeverything.com ; Brother Ptouch PT-1950 USB-Ready Labeler, $69.99 at staples.com ; Desktop File, $30 at seejanework.com ; Matrix Letter-Size Interior File Folders, $5.49 at containerstore.com ; Library Project Case, $16.99 at containerstore.com ; Translucent Magazine Files, $7.99 at containerstore.com ; Bristol Bay Three-Drawer Letter/Legal File Cabinet, $229 at homedecorators.com ; M.O. Expanding Desktop File, $19.95 at seejanework.com
Q. I am attending a black tie wedding (4 pm, followed by evening reception) in London, England, in May. I bought a navy chiffon cocktail-length dress, but I am told that my head has to be covered for the ceremony. I know that women wear hats to English weddings, but I thought that was for daytime ceremonies. What should I do with black tie?
- Indiana to London
A. OOOH, have some fun with wearing a hat and enjoy a proper English wedding. I adore the idea and you can have fun with the extra accessories. Channel your inner Diana, Fergie and Queen and set your sights on something that adds a bit of sophisticated prim to your look. And be sure to stash a thin comb and a travel hairspray for hair touch ups once you’ve removed your chapeau for the reception.
left to right: Helen Kaminski Kaylee Hat, $85 at neimanmarcus.com (TIP: Try tying a navy satin ribbon around the hat to dress it up a bit); Nordstrom Ribbon Trim Straw Hat, $58 at nordstrom.com ; Louise Green Lace Hat, $225 at neimanmarcus.com
Q. Similar to a few other writers, I have a formal wedding in DC in early May. I have a black cotton dress for the rehearsal dinner but it's sleeveless and I would like something to wear over my shoulders. I am not really the Pashmina type (they always look funny on me) or fashionably-brave enough to wear a capelet throughout the evening. Any simple or elegant alternatives?
-No Pashminas Please
A. Scrap the Pashmina and choose something fresher and more contemporary. Look for a fitted, cropped jacket in knit, cotton or eyelet style. Or cute cardigan in a pattern will work as well. Think of your cover up as a piece that works on it own with other pieces in your wardrobe and adds chic style with your little black dress.
For ideas, check out A Fresh Crop , our brand new style recipe featuring the hot new cropped jacket trend.
Q. My son will be getting married in a few months. The bride's attendants are wearing black dresses as is the Mother of the bride. The bride's and attendants' flowers will be a mix of fuchsia, orange and yellow, and the colors at the reception will be chocolate brown and
fuchsia
, with accents of orange and yellow. I have been told I can wear any color, but not a pastel. I don't want to wear black, but am wondering what colors I might consider. I was originally thinking some shade of brown, but I don't know how that will look with the black and the floral accent colors.
-Dress Decision
A. Stop wondering about the colors of the flowers, the tablecloths and the bridesmaid dresses and start immediately thinking about you and what will make you happy and look good. Skip the pastels and start picking out dresses with colors that make you smile and add a warm color to your skin. Head to your favorite stores with formal dress departments and enlist the help of a personal shopper (they’re free at most department stores and they’re there to help). Bring along a savvy, stylish friend or two to help you make a decision. Shop online to get a sense of what you’re interested in. If you find a dress you love, buy it online and you can bring it to a tailor if you need some adjustments. We’re fans of edressme.com , saks.com , nordstrom.com and bergdorfgoodman.com . For store shopping, make it a fun day with a plan of action, list your stores to visit, bring along pics from magazines and online sites and be sure to stop for lunch with your girlfriends to destress.
Q. I stumbled across your site recently, and I think it's great! I purchased
this dress
to wear to a summer wedding and I was wondering what shoes and bag you recommend wearing with it. Do you think accessories will be too much?
-Color Please Me
A. Keep the accessories simple. I recommend gold jewelry as a good warm color for dresses with many colors. As for sandals, you have options: for sophistication, choose a nude or natural color; for sass, choose a red strappy; for simple but nice, a pale chocolate; and for drama, go for pale gold. Your clutch or handbag should be gold, natural, white or pale chocolate.
Q. I am having a major problem looking for wedding shoes. HELP ME, I only have a budget of $110.00 and I want a pair of low-heeled (kitten heel) shoes, light ivory or cream with a round closed toe. I don’t want an open back shoe, but I do want something stylish and definitely comfy, it can even be dyeable.
-Help me, Help me
A. You’ve given yourself quite a list of restrictions for a day that is about love and merriment. Perhaps you spent all your dough on the dress? Tsk, tsk young lady, you need the whole look to be fabulous! Alas, I have found a few options that fit into your price, height, style and color requirements. Generally, I loathe dyeable shoes since there is rarely a need to match your shoe color perfectly to a dress, however, this seems to be your best option in your price range. Have a glorious wedding!
left to right,
from
onlineshoes.com
: Touch Ups Breeze, $54.95; Touch Ups Ginger, $54.95; Dyeables Darling, $54.95
Q. I'm a frequent visitor to your website, and I always find great tips. I just found out that I'm expecting my first child in the fall, and I'm already starting to think about maternity clothes, but it's pretty overwhelming. Do you have any store recommendations? Do you have any style tips? I'm short and small framed, but with a larger chest - which will only get larger - and I don't want to look like a walking tomato in six months!
-Forward Thinking Tummy
A. Congratulations! There are so many brands to choose from for your growing belly. Check for sales on sites before you shell out bucks for outfits you’ll only wear a few times. Look for pieces than can translate with an accessory change from day to evening. Try wearing items from your own wardrobe (like babydoll styles) mixed with maternity pieces and even consider buying large sizes of non-maternity clothing, which at times will fit better depending on how your body changes. Some of my favorite maternity sites include: cadeau.com , japaneseweekend.com , bellydancematernity.com , mimimaternity.com , apeainthepod.com , nordstrom.com and babystyle.com (great for sales). Plus there are the basics that work like collections from oldnavy.com , target.com and jcpenney.com .
You’ll also need new bras that give good support as your breasts grow larger. We love the choices on bareneccessities.com and figleaves.com .
Here are a few flattering pieces you'll get a lot of mileage from:
left to right: Belly Basics Maternity Double Cowl Neck Dress (also in black), $88 at nordstrom.com ; Belly Basics Maternity Wrap Tunic (also in black), $78 at nordstrom.com ; Ruched-Waist Skirts (many colors), $16.50 at oldnavy.com
Q. I am attending my brother-in-law's wedding in Florida in March. I wanted to ask you if it is appropriate to wear a bright red dress to the rehearsal dinner. They told me that it might look like I am trying to compete with the bride. I am one of the bridesmaids, so for the day of the wedding and reception I am wearing my bridesmaid's dress. Is this appropriate too or should I dress differently for the reception?
-Red Rose
A. A red dress is a fabulous style color choice for any occasion. The style of the dress is more important than the color when evaluating appropriateness —don’t wear anything too showy or with too much skin revealed. Nobody is going to dress dowdy for the rehearsal dinner and it's not your intention to outdo the bride. All eyes will be on the couple, so feel free to look good.
Q. What color shoe should I wear with solid white Bermuda shorts when paired with a black or brown top? Also, I am only 5'4...what style Bermuda is best for a shorter person...are cuffs OK?
-Shorty Pants
A. Cuffs on your shorts are fine, but keep the leg of the short cut straight and slim, you do not want a wide leg short on a petite frame - it will make you look shorter and wider. As for length, choose ones that are at or above the knee. For shoes, a wedge heel will keep the look stylish and give you a little height. You can look for a pattern, stripe or solid. If you choose a pattern, you will have a better likelihood of wearing several solid colored tops with your shorts while upping the style quotient of your look.
Q. What do I wear for an evening wedding in Battery Park in March?
-NYC by Water
A. I assume the wedding will be indoors, so the invite—black tie or not -- will determine your clothing. I always wear a dress to a wedding. I’m a fan of dressy cocktail length dresses, they work for all occasions. And please choose a color. I am just as much a victim of owning multiple little black dresses, but I know that when I wear color to events, I always snag more compliments and suddenly walk a little taller. I know the Battery Park area in NYC quite well- it will likely be a bit windy and chilly by the water so bring a wrap and spritz on hairspray to avoid the windblown effect.
Q. I will be celebrating my upcoming 24th birthday by going on a weekend trip to Las Vegas with my girlfriends. I normally dress in a very preppy manner and need help finding pieces that are more appropriate for Vegas as opposed to Connecticut. I must admit that I am the conservative dresser within my group of friends and would like to look stylish, trendy, and young for once so I can fit in with my girls in Sin City.
-Sin City STyle
A. Since it’s only a weekend, you won’t need much to add a little sass to your preppy wardrobe. Though "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," you are going with friends who will remember and won’t hesitate to remind you. So be aware of any behavior that you may regret later.
For day, cute colorful skirts and tops work just fine, and you probably already have these in your wardrobe. And of course, a bathing suit for lying by the pool. What you need help with is your party attire for going to a show or playing blackjack. Pack your dark jeans and add a sultry top with details like sequins or something that fits your body and shows just a hint of skin like a bare shoulder. I’m sure I don’t have to even say this to you, but here goes: no midriff-baring tops.
Then add a fun cocktail dress and heels. Not the kind of dress you’d wear to a wedding, but a fun jersey mini dress or tunic style. Bring along a medium to high heel sandal or wedge and you can wear the same heels with both the dress and the dark jeans and top. Add a jacket, since it gets cold in the desert and those hotel casinos are always air conditioned to keep you awake and gambling.
Some dress picks to give you inspiration:
left to right: Lux Printed Deep V Kimono Dress, $58 at urbanoutfitters.com ; Lux Flutter Sleeve Dress, $58 at urbanoutfitters.com ; Solid Egyptian cotton boatneck dress, $98 at jcrew.com
some sexy tops to pair with a jacket or cardigan and dark slim jeans with heels:
left to right: Bow Detail Halter Top, $48 at ardenb.com ; One Shoulder Trapeze Top, $58 at ardenb.com ; Grosgrain Cross Back Strap Camisole, $59.99 (sale) at armaniexchange.com
some cropped jackets and cardigans to layer over your top or dress:
left to right: Lux Cropped Dolman Jacket, $48 at urbanoutfitters.com ; Empire Waist Tie Front Jacket, $128 at ardenb.com ; Soft Side Cardigan, $148 at kennethcole.com
Q. One question I've never seen asked or addressed by stylists is what the perfect length for pants/jeans/slacks is, no matter what the trend (floods, capris, etc.) is. Would you tell me whereabouts on the foot or ankle they should rest?
-Long & Short of It
A. Pants always look better than capris or shorts. As for length, the longer length is more flattering. Pants should cover the tops of shoes or pumps with just the front of the shoe showing. Unfortunately, we all wear different heel heights, so when you have pants hemmed you need to figure out if you'll wear a heel or flats/sneakers with the pants. Generally, we wear our dress pants with heels and we succumb to flats and sneakers with our khakis and casual wear. Jeans are the trickiest since we wear them with everything from flip-flops to 4 inch heels. Choose your best looking dark pair for heels and your favorite all-around pair to wear with sneakers, flats and kitten heel heights, then hem them appropriately.
Q. I’m so sick of carrying two bags to work. Usually, it’s my purse and another tote bag for mail, magazines, lunch or whatever. And when I bring my laptop into work, that’s three bags total! It’s just too much! Every bag I find big enough seems too athletic or “LL Bean” looking which is just not my style. Any ideas on one classy, stylish bag I can use for work?
-Need to Subtract
A. You need the perfect carryall for just about everything. We call that the BIG bag. You should stick to one large bag that holds the items that were originally in your purse, plus the mags, mail and lunch. Then for the few times you carry your laptop, get yourself a stylish laptop bag or padded sleeve.
When filling your new BIG bag, be aware that we women tend to fill all that extra space with everything we own, making the bag too cumbersome and heavy to carry comfortably. Pare down to just the basics you need for every day. You don’t need to carry all your cosmetics, just powder, lip color, gloss and hand cream. Keep any other additions or nonessential items in your desk drawer, even if it means buying duplicates to keep at home and at work.
I’ve chosen a few bags that I believe will help you carry your daily needs:
left to right: Hype Handbags Cheyenne Satchel, $173 at
zappos.com
; Marc by Marc Jacobs King Pin Forbidden Shopper, $388 at
eluxury.com
; Michael Kors 'Yacht Club Large' Shopper, $348 at
nordstrom.com
; L.A.M.B. Devon Tote, $650 at
eluxury.com
; Michael Kors Big Valley North/South, $368 at
nordstrom.com
; Cole Haan Paige Collection Large Convertible Tote, $425 at
colehaan.com
Laptop sleeves and cases, keep your choice simple and sleek:
left to right: Talene Reilly Reese Laptop Tote, $230 (sale) at lunaboston ; Case Closed Bob w/Fashion Girl Lining, $50 (sale) at ebags.com ; Kara B Laptop Bags The Euro Briefcase, $86.95 at zappos.com ; Timbuk2 Quilted Laptop Sleeve-Large, $35.95 at zappos.com ; Mango Tango Faux Croc Laptop Bag, $49.99 (sale) at ebags.com ; Acme Made Designer Slim, $149.99 at acmemade.com
